: John F. Kennedy's presidency, tragically cut short by
assassination 40 years ago, had an enormous impact on numerous,
diverse artists. The handsome, charismatic president, his
attractive, cultivated wife, the aura of hope and idealism
surrounding his administration, and the international outpouring
of grief after his death, stirred an unprecedented artistic
response.
An exhibition documenting the ways in which artists depicted the
Kennedy years seems like such a good idea it is surprising that
no one has organized one before. The concept was initially
proposed by art historian Charles Stuckey, who did not have time
to pursue it himself; instead, Stuckey encouraged the Bruce
Museum of Arts and Science to assemble the show.
"JFK and Art" is on view through January 4; it then travels to
the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, Fla., February 15
through April 27.
"This is a subject that hasn't been investigated in depth
before," said Nancy Hall-Duncan, the Bruce's curator of art, who
co-organized the exhibition with curatorial assistant Cynthia
Drayton. Accompanying the exhibition is an insightful,
well-illustrated catalog featuring an essay by Kenneth E. Silver,
professor of fine arts at New York University.
Comprising more than 40 paintings, drawings, photographs and
sculptures, the show includes works by major artists such as
Elaine and Willem de Kooning, Hans Hofmann, Jasper Johns,
Marisol, Pablo Picasso, Robert Rauschenberg, Larry Rivers, Normal
Rockwell, James Rosenquist, Ben Shahn, Andy Warhol and James
Wyeth.
